AIDIL ADHA

Each family went home with these items in their goody bag

Jabar and Sirah

Daddy Hashim and his sweetheart Athirah

The gals with mum

Excited over their goody bag

The family in all white - Yusuf and Ros

Performance time by each family

Hazim, Hanif, Nizar and Charcoal

The winners of the Guess the number of of macaroni

I won this!

Another winner - Dhabitah

Two birthday girls cutting the cake

I love you Nenek!

Yipee! A toblerone for me

A dark chocolate for my dessert!

Fikri one of the winners in the Treasure hunt

Gee! I found a gold coin as my treasure

The game and the prizes at stake

Nasi Rawon for a feast at the table

LOVE ABOUNDS

Aidil Adha visited us again. We thanked Allah for giving us the whole family the opportunity to meet again. I had prepared the dishes to serve my siblings and after the usual morning prayers at the mosque, I began to get ready receiving them.

First, my husband and I spent some time hanging buntings, balloons and decorations for two birthday celebrations - my niece Masayu Athirah's and my sister's Fiza birthday. I then gathered some prizes for games that we would play during the celebration. Guess the number of macaroni was one game we played and the other was treasure hunt. Each family also had to perform to entertain one another.

Warong Sazatin served Nasi Rawon for our guests. There was pickle, serunding, ayam masak merah, bagedil and Brother Hashim helped out in cooking sambal sotong. Each family went home with a goody bag and some packed food.

What Aidil Adha is all about?

Aidiladha is also commonly known as Hari Raya Korban or Hari Raya Haji. Celebrated about two months after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, on the 10th day of Zulhijjah, the 12th (last) month of the Muslim calendar, it marks the end of the haj pilgrimage period (about two weeks). Every year, millions of Muslims make the journey to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform the haj, one of the five basic tenets of Islam.

Aidiladha also commemorates the sacrifices made by the Prophet Ibrahim (hence the word 'korban,' which means sacrifice in Arabic), who demonstrated immense faith when he was put to the test by God.

Prophet Ibrahim was commanded to offer his son Ismail up for sacrifice, and though it grieved him greatly, he made ready to perform the task. However, as he was about to strike his son, God stopped him and revealed that it was a trial. Ismail's life was spared, and a ram was sacrificed in his place.

As such, during Aidiladha, the sacrifice of four-legged animals such as lambs, goats, cows, bulls and camels is performed. The slaughter of the animal is done after the congregational prayer in the morning of Aidiladha.

The animals are killed in accordance with the proper religious rites and the meat is then distributed. One third of the meat is given to the individual who made the sacrifice, while the rest is given to the poor and deserving people in the community. Making the sacrifice (korban) is not a compulsory religious duty, but an obligations for those who are able to afford it.

The rest of the day is celebrated by visiting relatives and friends and the graves of those who have left us..

CHARCOAL AND SAGA

The melancholic eyes pleading for a master

I will bow to all of your requests

No I won't mess up the house nor the upholstery

The super sharp pointed ears and elfin-looking shaped face

The downcast face that invites pity and love

The saga tree with its still green pods (www.NatureLoveYou.sgu.sg)

The dry curly pods with the red saga seeds dispersed throgh the explosive method

(www.NatureLoveYou.sgu.sg)

They gave me endless hours of playing during my childhood days

The black-white feathered body

Specks of white contrast with black for the wings

Wing span stretches half of my lower arm

Saga's red round beady eyes

Dark reddish brown head and neck

The long and narrow beak

An injured leg hinders its flight to freedom



PETTY OVER PETS

4th Oct was World Pet Day. Guess what? My family ended up with two pets as a result of that event.

First, my son met a black cat at his cousin's Tampines flat. He played with it for a while. He returned to the same flat the next night and the cat was there again. It followed him wherever he went. My son had been pleading with me for him to keep a cat since he was young, but I never relented. He once owned a kitten for a few days when he was seven years old but the cat escaped when we forgot to close the wooden door. I had firmly put my feet and weight down ever since for him not to have a pet.

Defying all previous orders and warnings, my son brought the skinny, scrawny and pathetic-looking cat home last Thursday. He had enlisted extra backup from his elder brother to fetch him at Tampines and both of them sneakingly went into the house with a box in my younger son's hands. I almost jumped out of my seat when he said that they had brought a kitten home and like the cat's melancholic eyes, he pleaded with me to keep Charcoal; the name we gave her because she was as black as the night.. Charcoal’s eyes met mine. She seemed to be pleading and begging for some mercy. The momentarily meeting melted my heart. Looking at the starving and malnourished kitten, my husband and I relented. She was so pitiful and helpless - vulnerable and exposed to so many dangers in the open.

Charcoal with the elfin-looking face knows where he belongs and is trying to win me over slowly. She has already built a personal relationship with my two sons and husband. She seems to be attached with all the males in the house. Charcoal is a bit reserved with all the ladies in the house: myself, my mum and my maid. Has that got to do with gender preference?

My sons can keep Charcoal under one condition. Everything concerning looking after Charcoal comes under their job scope and responsibilities. Charcoal has not messed up the house and she goes to the litter box to do her stuff. Nobody teaches her that. She is a kitten of the 21st century learner – self-directed, independent and a concerned citizen. Wow! That's great!

What else did I end up for World Pet Day? Last night my husband and I picked up a struggling bird which tried to continue its flight but failed at the walkway. It did not move as we neared it. We scooped it up and marvelled at the beautiful black and white feathers under its body. The round deep red-beady eyes stared at us helplessly. I birth-certificated (a word I coined) him as 'Saga'. Do you still remember the scattered saga seeds we used to pick and play with long ago during our kampung days? I think the flower child of the 60s-70s would know the red saga seeds that had brought us endless hours of pleasure as our childhood game. Your partner and you need to come up with the same number of saga seeds. The handful of saga seeds are thrown on the floor and using your pointer finger you make a cross between two saga seeds. The ides is to flick and hit the saga seeds. If you succeeded, you pick up one seed as your win. You continue flicking and hitting the seeds until you stop hitting a pair.

The last standing beautiful umbrella-shaped saga tree I came across five years ago was the one opposite SOTA building, Cathay Cinileisure. When I saw the Saga tree giving shade to weary-feet tourists and locals, I relived my childhood days and went round collecting and bringing the seeds home from its burst pods. The tree disperses their seeds by literally exploding the dry pods. The hanging green pods turn brown and curl up as they dry. The sides of the pods dry up at different rates and this creates tension which causes the pods to split open, forcibly catapulting the small bright red seeds for several feet in all directions. The seeds are usually found littered under the tree. I introduced the saga-seed game to my sons and we ended up playing for hours. I don’t see the tree anymore and I think it had been axed down since.

I once went to a Chinese cemetery at Sime Road to study the graveyards to understand why some graves were sited at the higher while some ended at the lower ground. The reason I received was because of the social and economic status of the dead. If the dead had come from an influential family, the grave will be on higher elevation and vice versa. The red shiny saga seeds were all over the undulating ground. I bent down to pick a few to bring home but was cautioned by a Chinese friend not to take anything from the burial area unless I wanted the sprit of the dead to follow me home. No thanks! Horror movies already make my hair stand so I won’t need any encounter of the third kind for that spooky feeling. I immediately returned them to its original place.

Coming back to Saga, the bird – we couldn’t really identify what bird it is. Saga’s long and curved beak seems to suggest that it eats small aquatic creatures. Nevertheless, we had a neighbour who is a bird lover. He rears beautiful canary. I suggested my hubby to pay him a visit. My hubby brought Saga down to his flat. He too could not tell us the specie which Saga belongs to. We ended up with a cage from him to let Saga recuperate before we take our next course of actions.

Two pets within a week. It was a little hard to swallow. My husband and I foresee one common thing. We will be shelling out from our own pockets to buy pet food. Now, not only do I have a family to return home to, there are two pets I can pour out my feelings too.

Anyone out there knows what bird Saga is?

Latest update:

A friend of mine from Nature Society identified Saga as non-native bird of Singapore. Saga belongs to a specie known as a hooper.

LOVE SWEET LOVE

SPECIALLY FOR HAFEEZ & NAIMA

BLOOD AND TIES

Numerous abrassions on my hands and knees

The deep cut in my inner lips that required suturing

Contusions on my cut chin and look at the swollen lips and cheeks

The badly uneven slab that had caused me to trip

The rough edges are danger spots for walkers, especially the elderly

My forehead missed the edge of the kerb but my head hit it

My blood stains the slab even after a few days

HOPE OF RAY FOR RAYA

Dear All

I would like to record my deepest thanks to all who have shown your care and concern regarding my recent misadventure on 12 Sept, Sunday. You have either visited me, called and even texted me with your kind words and wishes for my speedy recovery.

When I fell headlong and landed flat faceward, I thought I was dead. I felt my soul leaving my body for a few seconds. I had tripped on an uneven perforated concrete slab at the car park and landed chin first and shoulder next. The slab had uneven and rough edges due to being run over numerous times by vehicles that had parked there and with the soil in between the holes depressed due to erosion and the harsh weather.

There was nothing I could grab to break my fall. The carpark lots of 206 and 205 were free of cars that morning. If there had been cars at the lot, I could have stopped my fall by holding to their sides. My forehead had missed the edge of a concrete kerb pavement by inches. I dread thinking of what would happen if my forehead had hit the sharp edge of the cement. Nevertheless, the top of my head did hit the edge of the kerb as there was tenderness and a bump on my crown.

My mouth hit the cold hard slab first and received the worst impact. But Allah is great. Lying on the slab for a few seconds and thinking whether God had taken my life, I tried to feel the ground. I managed to open my eyes and found my glasses intact on the bridge of my nose. They did not smash into my eyes. But there was blood on the glasses. I guess the blood from my mouth had splattered onto them. My vision was neither impaired nor blurred. That was good news for I knew instantly that my sight was not affected by the fall. I did not lose any consciousness and was aware of what had happened though my body was shaking and legs wobbly like jelly.

I covered my mouth as I saw blood stains on the concrete slab. I could feel my teeth were uneven. I flicked my tongue around the oral cavity and to my horror discovered that I had chipped some enamel. Fortunately there were no missing gaps in between the teeth except for some looseness and some incisors and canine being pushed backwards. I tried next to get up from my spread-eagle position while still carrying the plastic bags in my two hands. I had gone to the market to buy some food items for my guests who were visiting me later in the day for Hari Raya. Again I thanked Allah that the bottles I was carrying did not shatter and cut my wrists. But nothing had prepared me for my next discovery on living in harmony in Singapore.

I felt heavy while trying to upright myself because my hands and legs hurt and felt heavy like lead. All the while I was cupping my mouth as I felt warm red blood drip from my lips. An old Chinese man who was having his rest at the void deck, rushed towards my direction and asked, "Aunty, you ok?" I recognised him as I had bought a curry puff for him once. A young Chinese man squatted beside me and held me up together with the old man. The young man asked if I wanted to call my family members. They told me to calm down and take things slowly. To hear such words from strangers was truly comforting and touching. I grabbed my phone from my purse. With trembling hands I scrolled for my home number. The young man explained my situation to my hubby and requested for him to down. I managed to drag and heave myself up with the help of the men. Allahamdullilah my limbs did not suffer any fracture and I was able to walk aided by the men to the table stone under my block. They kept me company till the end.

An Indian couple came to my rescue next. They asked me if I wanted them to call for an ambulance. The wife immediately called as I signalled her to phone for 995. Talking was painful and my lips had doubled its size and turned outwards. The couple gave me their blackish-grey Adidas water tumbler for me to rinse my bloody mouth and clean away the blood on my hands. I spat out thick blood clots. Gosh! What worst could have happened, I wondered when I saw the blood clots land in the drain like pounded raspberries? The couple updated me that the ambulance would be on its way in five minutes. They too stayed although they were on their way somewhere.

A Malay housewife neared me and asked what had happened. I just managed to answer her in some sign language. Immediately she offered me her packet of tissue as I continued bleeding in my mouth, staining my pants, blouse and watch face. I had attracted a bit of a crowd by then at my own block. There were familiar and unfamiliar faces around me, all looking concern and offering me some form of comfort while I waited for my family members. It suddenly dawned into me of a topic I had taught my students - ‘Bonding.’ The HDB had introduced a policy in 1989 on ethnic integration where it puts a limit on the proportion of races in every neighbourhood and block. I realised what a beautiful place Singapore is. All races had come to my moments of need voluntarily without me asking them to render any form of assistance. My teaching had come alive for me and the integration policy had worked in my case.

By then, my hubby and sons were down looking shock at the sight of my bloody mouth. My son who had served in SCDF before checked my mouth and told me that the cut was deep and I probably would need some stitches in the inner lips. How right he was because the doctor at the A&E did suture me in the mouth. My husband was almost crying but he stood stoic and rushed up to get my IC. My sons hugged me while I became more teary. My mum rushed down with the maid too, looking daze and assured me that everything would be alright. .

When the ambulance came, the medic team whizzed me to the new Khoo Teck Huat Hospital with its siren on. My sons left in our car while my hubby hopped into the ambulance. I managed to thank all those who had come to help me before being wheeled into the ambulance. The medic monitored my vital signs and all were normal. In the A&E room, the doctor checked my body and ensured me that I did not suffer any broken bones. He sent me for a head x-ray to remove any doubts of fracture in the skull and the chin area. The report was negative. I was given tetanus and a painkiller jab. When the doctor told me that he had to stitch up my inner lips, I felt weak. But he did a quick job and it was not so painful after all. No pain is comparable to labour pain.

When my hubby heard that the doctor had requested for the head x-ray for me, he started calling my siblings. He was worried and feared the worst. I had upset my siblings' planned Raya outing and felt sorry for that. I too was not able to entertain Kaish's and Harith's family when they came down for Raya as I was still in the hospital. All in all I spent about five hours in the hospital. My siblings rescheduled their visiting plans and rushed down to see me and check on my condition. My family members waited for news at the hospital while I was placed in the observatory room. When reality finally sank in, I hyperventilated and was breathless. I had to be calmed down by the staff nurse.

I went for my dental appointment to check the status of my teeth on Monday morning. The dentist would only do the teeth work on 28 Sept as the wound and stitches in my mouth are still raw. I am not sure what they would do but I heard things like root canal if necessary. I hope my teeth would be saved and need no extraction.

As I sat to type this, my fingers, shoulders, knees, chin and teeth still ache. I have bruises all over my body and face. My lips still swell. But my heart does not ache. It is pumping and overflowing with happiness and joy. I am blessed to be surrounded by beautiful people who cared so much for me. What are some blue black marks, cuts and bruises you suffer when love and humanity override all physical pain you have?

Thank you to all and your prayers for my speedy recovery.

May Allah bless you and your family.

From
Azizah Bte Abdul Rahim and Family

SELAMAT HARI RAYA PUASA

TOGETHERNESS ON RAYA
One big and happy family

After asking for fogiveness from hubby

Thaqif and dad have a close bond

I love you sonny!

Please forgive me of my wrong doings, Dad

My boys have become men. Both brothers are close & get along well. Amin

Thaqif resembles his grand dad a litle bit

Thaqif is quiet but easy to pleased

Nizar has a kind heart and is jovial

Tini who has become like part of our family

A sad moment for us as we ask for forgiveness from each other

We appreciate what you have done for us Tini

Mum is being taken care by Tini

A mother's love is for eternity. Love you Nizar!

Love you mummy.....and may you have good health always

Father as a friend too. Thanks Dad for being there when I need you

All smiles on Raya morning

Hubby with my mum

Heaven lies under your mother's feet

Thaqif and his Nenek Sabiah. Thanks for cooking for me

Love you Nenek and thanks for taking care of me when I was young

TIME FOR FORGIVENESS & REFLECTION

After a month of fasting in Ramadhan, Muslims welcome the 1st of Syawal with a prayer in the mosque and asking for forgiveness from the loved ones. Some families would also visit the graves of their loved ones after the Hari Raya morning prayers where all mosques are full to he brim. Feasting in the form of open house and celebration continue for the whole month as relatives and friends pay a visit to one another's home.

At home, after the prayers, my family gathered together to ask for forgiveness from every member. Asking for forgiveness for our past deeds, begins with the youngest in the family begging for forgiveness from the eldest. It is a solemn and sad moment as one reflects upon the past and wrong doings in terms of 'actions and words' and vow not to repeat them. We also ask for 'halalkan' or asking for blessing for the food that we have consumed from the ones we are asking forgiveness too.

My son Nizar started the session by kneeling down and clasping his Nenek's hands to ask for forgiveness. Hugs and kisses were exchanged before he received the green packet from Nenek Sabiah. The whole procedure of asking for forgiveness from children to parents, from wife to husband, from brothers to sisters, from enemies to friends etc is a must in all Muslim households.

As for my family, the session is repeated till everyone in the house had completed their round of asking for forgiveness. Syawal hails a new beginning, a fresh chapter and a clean slate to chart one's life for the following months to come till the next Syawal arrives again.